Taylor draw sets up tense Premier League climax

Phil Taylor will have to wait until Week 15 to secure his Premier League Play-Off place as the 'Power' could only muster a 6-6 draw with newcomer Peter Wright.

A Shanghai 120 finish saw Taylor move into a 3-1 lead but Wright broke back to draw level. The 16-time world champion made it 5-5 with an 11-dart leg and, when Wright failed to check out 124, Taylor nailed his dart at double top to seal a point.

While attempting a 150 finish in the final leg, Wright stopped on double 18 to put his ear up and taunt the crowd. Not impressed by his opponent's antics, Taylor watched Wright come too far inside and stepped up to throw for the win.

However, Wright's stoppage appeared to rattle Taylor and the Stoke ace could not find a finish, allowing Wright to return and claim the point at Newcastle's Metro Arena.

"Well it's exciting isn't it, I'm enjoying it. It's up to me because if I win then I'm in, but it's up to Michael [Van Gerwen] as well as if he beats Peter then that'll do for me," Taylor told Sky Sports.

"Michael's going out there to prove a point next week but who knows what Peter will do next. People talk about Peter, it's not always flattering but they're talking about him because he's different."

Michael van Gerwen remains top of the table after he emerged victorious in the battle of the Dutchmen. Van Gerwen saw off Raymond van Barneveld 7-4, which included a 132 bullseye finish in the match-winning leg, to secure his place in the last four at London's O2 Arena later this month.

Earlier in the evening, Gary Anderson improved his top four chances with a 7-4 victory against an out-of-sorts Dave Chisnall. Chisnall immediately broke throw thanks to some woeful finishing from the 'Flying Scotsman', but Anderson hit back to level.

From there, it was one-way traffic as Chisnall simply could not finish his dinner. At 4-3 down, he had a grand opportunity to level following Anderson's miscount on 74, but failed to check out with his 16th shot at a double. Anderson duly moved 5-3 ahead and soon completed victory without really being tested. He will need victory against Van Barneveld in Brighton next week to cement a place in the final.

Adrian Lewis won his first Premier League match since March with a 7-5 victory against Robert Thornton.

Thornton quickly established a 2-0 lead but a quickfire 180 helped Lewis neutralise the Scot's advantage. Two-all became four legs apiece but Thornton was only averaging 87 at this point. Lewis laboured and could not find the break he needed as Thornton again levelled for 5-5.

A wired 147 attempt almost secured Thornton a share of the spoils but 'Jackpot', who will definitely not feature at the O2, returned to register his first triumph in nine weeks.